Talk:Gage Location Specifications

Floodzilla Meeting 05-13-20

How to accurately measure height of sensor when installed and occasionally throughout year when needing verifications?

• Bubble level
• Laser level and triangulation (a² + b² = c²)

Prior to installing sensors connect each sensor/transmitter to field laptop using USB.

• Configure all desired settings in all Airwire programs.
• We may be able to set the sensor/transmitters up so we can remotely manage them.

Sensors should be installed above the 60' flood stage, but may need to compromise on this to get good readings at certain sites.

• At time of install test sensor to see if it's detecting the edges of the ditch or some other interfering object.
• Can use a plumb line to find the center of the sensing cone at the ground level.

Testing the Sensor for the Optimal Installation Height:

• Install transmitter separate from sensor with cable of the maximum length that may be needed.
• Install transmitter above 60' flood level at final desired height.
• Start with sensor at desired height (above 60' flood level) with the ability to raise and lower while on site.
• Set the frequency of readings to every minute.
• On field laptop look at liquid levels / floodzilla to monitor readings.
• If detecting sides of ditch, lower sensor at small increments, and secure in place.
• Monitor readings to look for changes.
• Continue to lower sensor until you are sure the sensor is not detecting the edges of the ditch or other objects.
• If the height of the sensor where it is not detecting the edge of the ditch is below the 60' flood stage, how far below is it? record this.

Team Discussion:

• Is mounting this sensor below the 60' flood stage acceptable in this location? Some sites may not be able to achieve both objectives of a. predicting when roads will go under and b. recording the flood crest.
• Yes - this site is valued in predicting when roads will first go under, recording the flood crest at this site is not as important.
• No - this site is valued for recording flood crests and must be above 60' flood stage, 100% accurate readings when flooding is first occurring is not as important.
• Settings may need to be changed in Airwire software to make sensor less sensitive.

Testing at Dean's House This Week:

• Bring indoor receiver, 3 D-cell batteries, laptop, USB, face masks, gloves

Other Notes:

• 60' flood height at Sno-Falls Golf Course can be extrapolated from other floods aside from the Oct 22nd flood.
• 8' Unistrut should be an adequate length to offset sensor for post - simple to use at each site. Any site that needs an arm longer than 8' will be more difficult.